Cirque du Soleil Returns to Bizkaia with 'KURIOS' Show

The production, which has been touring globally for a decade, offers an explosion of imagination to rediscover reality.

Generic image of a fantastical and curious stage set with mechanical gears and clockwork elements.
IA

Generic image of a fantastical and curious stage set with mechanical gears and clockwork elements.

Cirque du Soleil has returned to Bizkaia with its acclaimed show KURIOS – Cabinet of Curiosities, a production that has captivated global audiences for ten years and will be at the Ansio Exhibition Center in Barakaldo until May 24.

This 35th production by the company, featuring 50 artists from up to 21 countries, is described as an explosion of imagination and a journey to rediscover reality with a different perspective. The show invites dreaming, presenting a seeker who believes in a hidden and invisible world where the wildest ideas and grandest dreams reside.

"KURIOS is an explosion of imagination, a journey to rediscover reality with a different perspective."

Michael Smith · Artistic Director of Cirque du Soleil
Michael Smith, the artistic director with over 40 years in the entertainment world and two decades with the company, explains that the core concept of the work is that “anything is possible if we view life with curiosity.” According to Smith, the show aims to be a refuge of joy and inspiration, creating a universe where each audience member can explore their own story.
The staging is a fundamental pillar of KURIOS. A low stage and nearly 500 props inspired by the early 20th century create a unique atmosphere designed to “break the fourth wall.” The goal is for the audience to feel integrated into the plot, without invisible barriers, feeling they have the right to be part of the show.
On stage, artists like Darian Cobas, a former elite gymnast from the Cuban national team, bring this fantasy to life. Cobas performs an aerial straps duo act, a discipline similar to rings. His inclusion in the show represented a significant personal triumph, as he had to learn to work with his left arm. Cobas describes it as “one of the biggest challenges” of his career, enjoying the astonished faces of children and adults from above.
Both Smith and Cobas encourage the public in Bilbao and its surroundings not to miss this experience. They emphasize that Cirque du Soleil does not visit the region frequently, making it a unique opportunity to enjoy the spectacle.